Pure lead RB and distortion

[Jarikeen]

Is the reason that pure lead is used for round balls in muzzle loaders is so that it will de-form into the rifling a little, when combined with the patch?

I use a fairly tight ball and patch combination and find this pattern on my RB. My patches are not burning or tearing. Is this to be expected?

 

[renovato]

I'm sure that a pure lead ball fattens out a bit upon firing, but the main reason it needs to be soft is so that the patch can get a good grip on the ball to spin it up. If you look at a spent ball, you should notice the thread pattern from your patch pressed into it. Also a soft lead ball will flatten out in game, making it a pretty good performer for hunting.

 

[Russianblood]

Also, pure lead is heavy. "more bang for the ball" than an alloyed lead would have.

 

[faw3]

And add its good for the inside of the barrel if nothing else, but really what you ask it sounds like you got it working right with the patch ect. Fred :hatsoff:

 

[silverfox]

Sounds like FW said you seem to be on the right track. If you are getting patch marks on the ball and no burn through or holes in your patches that's what you want. You're doing good.
Fox :thumbsup:

 

[Jarikeen]

Thankyou for your replies. I am indeed getting the patch marks in the lead, but I am getting rifling grooves in the lead as well. The ball is no longer perfectly round, but roundish with rifling ridges. Is this to be expected?

 

[shortjack]

To tell the truth I've never checked any of my roundballs. My GPR shoots good and if your muzzleloader is shooting good I wouldn't worry about it. Worrying about something that doesn't affect actual performance, but doesn't look right was something I used to do years ago because I always wanted to know the why's of things. Now that I am older I've learned things are sometimes like that just because, I accept that other wise I would dwell on it forever.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Is the reason that pure lead is used for round balls in muzzle loaders is so that it will de-form into the rifling a little, when combined with the patch?

I use a fairly tight ball and patch combination and find this pattern on my RB. My patches are not burning or tearing. Is this to be expected?

That perfect RB so many strive for, well, tain't quite the same when it exits the bore, obturation upsets them more than a little.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Yes, that is what you can expect. most shooters don't have a way to recover a PRB that hasn't been flattened on impact. About the only way a shooter can see what we are talking about is to pull a ball with a ball puller jag, and see both the weave on the ball from the patch, and the lands and grooves of the rifling tht are impressed on the ball when the ball is expanded. If you want to recover a fired round ball, shoot it into water, with some way to find it on the bottom of the container. You will need at least a 55 gallon drum tipped on its side to about a 45 degree, filled iwth water. There is not need to use a full load, only enough to get the ball out the barrel, so don't put a lot of powder under the PRB. Its always possible that a ball or bullet might completely penetrate the water and drum and create a drain you can't easily plug!

 

[roundball]

And even before ignition...it's "punched" into a muzzle with a sharp rap on a short starter...have to believe that has SOME effet on it's shape too.